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| Remembering the past. Building our future. |
Libations of Thanks and Praise
Our Mission
Sankofa Vision, Inc. is a community-based organization that exists to
celebrate and cultivate the art, culture, and community life of people of
African descent. We honor African American heritage as a vital source of
wisdom and inspiration for building stronger families and communities.
Our programs increase public awareness of the rich history and
interconnected traditions of black people in Louisiana, the south, the
U.S.A., and throughout the global African Diaspora. This includes - but
is not limited to - celebrating and advancing the visual arts and crafts,
performing arts, music, literature, cuisine, business, science, and spirituality.
Our Community
Sankofa Vision, Inc. is based in Shreveport, Louisiana - an historic and
hospitable city along the Red River that is growing as the "Next Great City
of the South.*" Sankofa Vision, Inc.'s immediate service area is Linwood-
Caddo Heights, a working class neighborhood that is bounded by major
commercial activity, including LSU Medical Center, Intertech biomedical
complex, Highland Club, and the Linwood Village - a small business
and cultural district that is anchored by Pamoja Art Society, Achievement
Through Art, and Nubian Express Bookstore.
Linwood-Caddo Heights residents are predominately African American
(68%) and low-income (75%)**. Poverty is a pervasive national challenge
that impacts 61% of African American children and their families, causing
documented negative effects upon the health, educational attainment, and
social development of many people***. As a progressive alternative,
Sankofa Vision, Inc. engages neighborhood residents and helpful allies
from many walks of life to enhance the quality of life in our area and the
community at large.
Our 5 Purposes
Sankofa Vision, Inc. is a community-based organization that exists to
celebrate and cultivate the art, culture, and community life of people of
African descent. We honor African American heritage as a vital source of
wisdom and inspiration for building stronger families and communities.
Our programs increase public awareness of the rich history and
interconnected traditions of black people in Louisiana, the south, the
U.S.A., and throughout the global African Diaspora. This includes - but
is not limited to - celebrating and advancing the visual arts and crafts,
performing arts, music, literature, cuisine, business, science, and spirituality.
Our Community
Sankofa Vision, Inc. is based in Shreveport, Louisiana - an historic and
hospitable city along the Red River that is growing as the "Next Great City
of the South.*" Sankofa Vision, Inc.'s immediate service area is Linwood-
Caddo Heights, a working class neighborhood that is bounded by major
commercial activity, including LSU Medical Center, Intertech biomedical
complex, Highland Club, and the Linwood Village - a small business
and cultural district that is anchored by Pamoja Art Society, Achievement
Through Art, and Nubian Express Bookstore.
Linwood-Caddo Heights residents are predominately African American
(68%) and low-income (75%)**. Poverty is a pervasive national challenge
that impacts 61% of African American children and their families, causing
documented negative effects upon the health, educational attainment, and
social development of many people***. As a progressive alternative,
Sankofa Vision, Inc. engages neighborhood residents and helpful allies
from many walks of life to enhance the quality of life in our area and the
community at large.
Our 5 Purposes
- Build positive relationships within our neighborhood.
- Encourage a lifestyle of health, service, and environmental
awareness.
- Assist families to achieve self-sufficiency.
- Develop intergenerational and cross-cultural learning
experiences.
- Share the wisdom and beauty of African American art and
culture.
- ___________________________________________________________________
*The Honorable Mayor Cedric Glover, The City of Shreveport, LA
**U.S. Census Data; Low income levels are defined as $10,000-$34,999 annually for a household
averaging 3 to 4 people.
***National Center for Children in Poverty, Basic Facts About Low-Income Children (Birth to Age 18)
There are 73 million children in the United States. 39% (28.4 million) of all children live in low-
income families. 61% of black children (6.5 million) live in low-income families.
| www.sankofavision.org |
We praise the Creator!
The Owner and Maker of the Universe.
The Keeper of the Six Directions --
North, South, East, West, Heaven, and Earth.
We give thanks for the blessing and gift of life.
We honor our Ancestors!
The Mothers and Fathers who come before us.
The Departed Ones who lived lives of good character.
We honor those whose names are known.
We honor those whose names are forgotten.
We honor our Ancestors because we stand on their
shoulders.
We remember Africa, humanity's original home!
We remember the Africans who were stolen and lost.
We remember the Africans who resisted and survived.
We remember the indigenous people of every land.
We remember that Mother Earth connects us all.
We pray for Truth and Love!
We pray for Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.
We pray for Health and Respect for Life!
We pray for Justice and Peace!
We pray for power to create a better world --
now and for generations yet to come.
Ashe' Ashe' Ashe' (And so it is!)
The Owner and Maker of the Universe.
The Keeper of the Six Directions --
North, South, East, West, Heaven, and Earth.
We give thanks for the blessing and gift of life.
We honor our Ancestors!
The Mothers and Fathers who come before us.
The Departed Ones who lived lives of good character.
We honor those whose names are known.
We honor those whose names are forgotten.
We honor our Ancestors because we stand on their
shoulders.
We remember Africa, humanity's original home!
We remember the Africans who were stolen and lost.
We remember the Africans who resisted and survived.
We remember the indigenous people of every land.
We remember that Mother Earth connects us all.
We pray for Truth and Love!
We pray for Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.
We pray for Health and Respect for Life!
We pray for Justice and Peace!
We pray for power to create a better world --
now and for generations yet to come.
Ashe' Ashe' Ashe' (And so it is!)
| Leia Lewis, SVI Director pours water libations, which is an African tradition of prayer to bless daily life and community gatherings. |
| All content copyright 2008 Sankofa Vision, Inc. Phone (318) 230-2892 Site design by L.A. Lewis |
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| Linwood-Caddo Heights residents, merchants, and patrons. |